Monday, September 10, 2012

How to Be a Woman

I went looking for Caitlin Moran's "How to Be a Woman" after reading this review in the NYTimes. Found it at Room of One's Own Bookstore where they knew exactly what book I was talking about even though I could not remember the title or the author. "Room" may be the only bookstore left where I knew they would know what I wanted and have it in stock as well.

Went home and devoured it in 48 hours — in between bouts of laughing til I cried. It was so smart and sassy I kept interrupting my husband who was trying to read his own book. He didn't have a chance as I endlessly said "listen to this," and then read long bits out loud to him. He went on to read the book himself when I finished.

If you're a feminist this is the book you've been waiting for. Read it; laugh out loud, jump up and down and then give copies to every young woman you know. Though the author is British, there are very few references that don't translate and, in fact, I think it may be easier to read about contentious topics through a different cultural lens. I guarantee Moran will entertain, enthrall and energize you with this feminist memoir cum manifesto.

For another review with more background, read what Peggy Orenstein said about the book on Slate.

Comments

You can follow this conversation by subscribing to the comment feed for this post.

Thanks for reminding me about this! I hear her interviewed on radio and she was amazing. Also, she mention Alain de Botton in that SLATE interview. His book Status Anxiety is one I recommend repeatedly.